Parents busted for kids` illegal admission

The Seoul District Prosecutor's Office Thursday arrested eight people who helped their children gain college admissions by illegal means and put four others on a police wanted list on the same charges. Those arrested included a woman identified only as Kang, 53, wife of a famous singer named Nam Jin.

Prosecutors investigating the illegal college entrance scandal said they have so far uncovered wrongdoing by 54 students and 46 parents.

The prosecution also put on a wanted list the director of a private institute for foreign studies in Los Angeles, identified only as Park, 44, and a broker of falsified passports identified as Lee, 44. According to the prosecution, Park and Lee colluded with Cho Kun-Hee, 52, director of Korea Kent Foreign School, and forged documents required for college admission in Korea. Cho has already been arrested and indicted, but Park and Lee are currently staying in the United States.

Cho is accused of collecting about $500,000 from 30 or so parents, some $15,000 to $30,000 per student, in return for providing the criminal service.

Prosecutors also arrested and indicted Lee Byong-Ryol, 47, an official in the admission management department of Dankook University on charges of bribery. He allegedly received 41 million won from Cho for turning a blind eye to the crimes.

Lee Myoung-Gun gun43@donga.com